Apple unveils Mac OS X Mountain Lion ahead of summer release

Apple has unveiled the latest version of Mac OS X, dubbed Mountain Lion.

Mountain Lion’s Messages app works with iMessage to allow users to carry over conversations from their iOS devices to their computer (Pic: Apple)

The latest version of the Mac operating system, which will initially be available for developers only, incorporates a whole host of features from the iPhone and iPad, and also comes with Twitter integration.

Popular apps such as Messages, Notes, Reminders and Game Centre will be available to Mac users who upgrade to the new operating system, which will be available to all in the summer through the Mac App Store.

‘The Mac is on a roll, growing faster than the PC for 23 straight quarters, and with Mountain Lion things get even better,’ said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing.

With this latest update of the Mac operating system, Apple is clearly aiming for a future where the mobile, laptop and desktop worlds will converge.

‘We see that people are in love with a lot of apps and functionality here,’ said Tim Cook, Apple’s chief executive, in an interview at the company’s headquarters, pointing at his iPhone.

‘Anywhere where that makes sense, we are going to move that over to Mac.’

The previous version of Mac OS X, Lion, also incorporated a number of iOS features like advanced gesture controls and the ability to view desktop apps as icons in an iPhone-like grid.

As well as bringing the Mac software closer to the iOS system, Mountain Lion also increases integration between Apple products, coming with iCloud compatibility and features such as AirPlay mirroring, which allows Mac owners to stream video content from their computer to a TV using Apple TV.

The Messages app works with iMessage to allow users to carry over conversations from their iOS devices to their computer.